Numerous popular video game franchises have been adapted over the years, and countless movies, TV shows, and anime have appeared. However, not all were successful. In fact, there are thought to be at least two bad adaptations for a good video game adaptation. Some series and stories have become more suitable for the medium than others.
Bad adaptations of video games were common, especially in the '90s and early 2000s. However, in recent years, things have started to improve and attempts to adapt video games have become better quality. Since the 2010s, we have witnessed a period when the best video game adaptations emerged.
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The Last of Us
It might be premature to call HBO's The Last of Us already one of the best video game adaptations of all time. But it's hard to think of so many other video game adaptations that have been as universally lauded as the post-apocalyptic series; by both critics and viewers.
It certainly helps that the video game franchise is one of the most successful of all time, with two games selling tens of millions of copies and winning countless awards. Much of this success is due to the story that the series appears to follow faithfully.
As well as the performances of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey portraying Joel and Ellie, it is clear that the series creators impressed audiences by deftly recreating the atmosphere and tone of the iconic action-adventure franchise.
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6) The Witcher
The Witcher may not be the best video game adaptation on Netflix, but it's definitely one of the most entertaining. Henry Cavill does an excellent job portraying the Witcher title and is backed by a strong supporting cast including Anya Chalotra, Joey Batey and the fantastic Freya Allan.
But as entertaining as the show is, it's hard not to wonder what could happen if Netflix hired a script team that better understands and respects its source material. While a blatant disregard for Andrzej Sapkowski's work has detracted from the experience of fans of the series, it does hold the series back a bit at times.
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5) Resident Evil
Fans of Capcom's Resident Evil series will likely be a little disappointed by Paul WS Anderson's film franchise when looking for a unique adaptation. However, anyone looking for a solid dose of suspense and suspense along with bloody and violent scenes will find it all here.
Despite all the ups and downs of the seven movies made before the 2021 reboot, many agree that the first movie was better than the others. It transports you into unmissable territory for fans of movies, survival horror games and the Resident Evil series.
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4) Sonic the Hedgehog
When the first images of Sonic the Hedgehog were released, fans were naturally worried about the blue character's design. However, the filmmakers finally addressed these issues, creating a great adventure movie and proving that not all video game adaptations have to be bad.
Following its success, it was decided to shoot a sequel and other beloved characters from the Sonic series began to appear in the movies. This success was also instrumental in Nintendo rolling up its sleeves to make the Mario movie, but Mario's success on the big screen is still controversial.
3) Shenmue: The Animation
The Shenmue series is often praised for its role in popularizing open world games and its latest innovations. However, it also draws attention with a classic revenge story with fantastic characters, proving that it is a perfect candidate for an anime adaptation.
A year or two after the release of its long-awaited third game, Shenmue: The Animation was hailed as one of the best anime of 2022, a worthy interpretation of Yu Suzuki's extremely ambitious series.
2) Castlevania
Recently, with the rise of story-driven video games, it seemed a little surprising that Netflix's adaptation of Castlevania was greenlit. The themes explored throughout the games can be considered exciting, but the small amount of storyline left the series' writing team a heavy load.
Fortunately, the team was able to create an exciting and engaging narrative portrayed by wonderful characters. Trevor, Alucard, and Sypha were great, but some of the supporting cast like Lenore, Hector, and Isaac really helped elevate the series from a good one to a great one.
1) Pokémon
The Pokemon series draws attention by creating a unique synergy. From the various spinoffs to the cinematic releases, everything complements each other perfectly, making it one of the most marketable IPs available. The Pokemon animated series is a prime example of this, and has been entertaining both kids and adults alike for over a quarter of a century.
The anime seems to have started as a tool to sell life and Pokemon items but has now evolved into a completely different entity. It can evoke various emotions in the audience and create a series of people who are with the cute characters of the series for an important part of their lives.
